Almost ten years ago I heard Emily Arrow on a podcast chatting with Matthew Winner and she sang a storytime song she calls Books! Books! It's super cute and she plays a ukulele for the accompaniment. I loved it so much that we started singing it at the beginning of every kindergarten and first grade library class, but we either listened to her version or we sang a cappella. Then I got a ukulele for Christmas.
One of the first songs I learned to play was hers. I've been playing it with kindergarteners and sometimes older students ever since. It's a wonderful way to usher the students into the room and get everyone settled. We also sing quite a few of Emily's other songs related to children's literature like Be A Friend, I am Yoga, I am Peace, and others. She is such a joyful human and her music is lovely.
One year I got to meet her in person and even sing Be a Friend on stage with her in my stripedy shirt. I love the picture of me with my ukulele and the person who inspired me to learn how to play. My students think I'm pretty fancy since I can play and sing like Emily Arrow so that's cool. They're rather easy to impress, but singing with them is always bright spot in my day and it all started with a podcast while I was folding laundry in the basement.
I followed the link to the video and I agree with you--it's such a fun, sweet song! I love that you play the ukelele and sing the song with your students. It sounds like a really wonderful way to start class. I'm so glad to have clicked on your blog and learned this song!
ReplyDeleteYay. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I just realized that I linked to the song, but it isn't one with the ukulele accompaniment. Silly me. Anyway, I play it and she plays the ukulele for many of her videos and songs.
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